Advantages
- Better performance than other topologies
- Much more secure as data is not broadcast across the network
- Each node has its own dedicated transfer connection
- One malfunctioning computer does not effect the entire network
- Highly scalable due to centralised bottleneck
- Traffic inspection and shaping can be carried out easily
- Simplistic and easy to understand, establish, and navigate
Disadvantages
- High dependence on central hub
- Incredibly expensive compared to other topologies
- A failure at the central hub will down the whole network
- Requires extensive and complex cabling
- Performance is determined by capabilities of the central hub
Sources
Overview
A star topology operates from a central hub which acts as a base and transmits messages throughout the network. This helps reduce the number of failures within the network, as all external 'nodes' on the machine connect only to the central hub.
Details
Star networking is a quicker and much more widely accepted topology than the bus and ring topologies and ranges various different needs of the user.
This topology operates from a central hub or computer which acts as the base and transmits messages throughout the network. This helps reduce the number of failures within the network, as all external nodes on the machine connect only to the central node, which rejects any bad transmissions, only individual stations are likely to be affected. This is referred to as an 'isolation of devices'.
There are many positive aspects of the star network, including the simplicity of understanding and navigating the system, as well as better performance. This better performance requires a suitable central hub to be able to work efficiently but that is the only area of the system that needs to be prepared for a heavy load.
Any failures of an individual link node are isolated and do not affect the running of the system in general, however a failure to the central hub (generally the hardest component to replace due to the price and its underlying technology) can bring the system down and thus needs to be effectively monitored.